UAB Is Shuffling Fans Around The Field So Stadium Does Not Look Empty Against Rice

Rice will play UAB in a game of national import this Thursday on Fox Sports 1. Concerned the stadium will appear empty on television, UAB has asked fans to sit on the East Side of Legion Field, behind the team’s bench. They hope this will create a “positive image.”

“We are hopeful of a good turnout for the Rice game,” said UAB Athletic Director Brian Mackin. “With the television broadcast of the game, we want to fill the east side of the stadium and are asking our fans to assist in this effort by sitting on the east side of Legion Field. It is our intent to present a positive image to all the viewers who will be watching that night.

“Moving our team to the east side will allow our fans to continue to sit behind our bench to support our players and coaches,” said Mackin. “The move will also allow us to have both benches on the same side of the field as the teams’ locker rooms.”

The Blazers have one win vs. FBS teams this season, 27-24 over FIU. There are two teams below them in the Conference USA East division. The school has been on the fence between “spend money to build an on campus stadium” or “cease having a football program” for more than a decade.